Move over, Fat Bear Week—a new online contest has everyone buzzing about bats! The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) has been hosting a bat beauty contest since 2019, encouraging the public to celebrate and appreciate the ecological importance of bats.
Each year, the agency posts photos of wild bats on its Facebook and Instagram pages, inviting followers to vote for the cutest contestant.
This year’s competition kicked off with some quirky candidates and aligns with the start of Bat Week, a global celebration highlighting the only flying mammals.
The Bat Beauty Contest: Raising Awareness for a Unique Species
The BLM’s bat beauty contest isn’t just about adorable bat faces; it’s an effort to shed light on bats’ crucial role in ecosystems worldwide.
From pest control to pollination, bats are vital to maintaining balance in nature. BLM’s contest shines a light on the bats living on U.S. public lands, with agency staff photographing these furry creatures as they carry out their nightly duties.
The first round of this year’s contest began with a showdown between two contenders: “Sir Flaps-A-Lot,” a Townsend’s big-eared bat from Utah, and “Hoary Potter,” a hoary bat from Oregon. As expected, these two charismatic bats have already captivated social media, with fans casting their votes to see who will make it to the next round.
Meet the Competitors: Townsend’s Big-Eared Bat and Hoary Bat
Sir Flaps-A-Lot, the Townsend’s Big-Eared Bat
Known for its namesake ears, the Townsend’s big-eared bat sports long, distinctive ears that reach up to 1.5 inches in length! These large ears are not just for show—they help funnel sound, aid in temperature regulation, and even provide lift during flight.
Townsend’s big-eared bats are listed as a species of conservation concern in Utah due to habitat threats, making their appearance in the contest a great way to raise awareness.
Hoary Potter, the Swift and Stealthy Hoary Bat
On the other side of the competition, Oregon’s “Hoary Potter” has charmed audiences with its unique abilities. Known for its swift flight, the hoary bat wraps itself in its tail to mimic a leaf, providing camouflage from predators.
The BLM playfully suggested that Hoary Potter would make a “perfect candidate for seeker on this year’s Quidditch team,” making this bat a fan favorite in the Halloween contest.
The Contest’s Purpose: Bat Conservation and Public Education
Although neither the Townsend’s big-eared bat nor the hoary bat is federally listed as endangered, both are recognized as species needing conservation efforts in their respective states. Through this contest, the BLM hopes to combat common misconceptions about bats and educate the public on their importance in pest control and pollination.
Emma Busk, a wildlife technician with the BLM who photographed Hoary Potter, spoke about the challenges bats face, from habitat loss and disease to light pollution.
“Bats are often misunderstood as dangerous carriers of disease, but less than 1% of all bat populations actually carry rabies,” Busk said, explaining that bat-to-human disease transmission is very low. Her goal is to raise awareness about the benefits of bats and why they deserve our protection.
Previous Winners and the Oregon Bat Streak
For the past two years, Oregon bats have dominated the contest. In 2022, a canyon bat named “Barbara” from southern Oregon took the title, and last year, a Townsend’s big-eared bat named “William ShakespEAR” claimed the crown.
Busk, who photographed both previous winners, is rooting for Hoary Potter to continue the Oregon streak, hoping the Halloween-themed contest will bring more attention to the threats bats face.
“Every year, we gather data on bats in our resource areas to help us better protect these species in the future,” Busk said, emphasizing the BLM’s ongoing conservation efforts.
Vote for Your Favorite Bat!
The contest will continue through multiple rounds until Halloween day, when the winning bat will be crowned.
Each round showcases a new pair of contenders, giving the public a chance to support these unique creatures and learn more about bat conservation. Be sure to check the Bureau of Land Management’s social media pages to cast your vote and join the celebration of these incredible creatures!
